PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kantaro Hoshino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ozzy McKane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying McKane's choice of entrance music: SAIL - AWOLNATION. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hoshino
vs
McKane

165 cm
33
164 lbs
28 - 8 - 1

170 cm
29
160 lbs
26 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

KAISER
Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 8 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kantaro Hoshino!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ozzy McKane!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Glass and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McKane throws a leg kick which misses Hoshino's front leg but catches the back leg as Hoshino tries to avoid it.
Hoshino cracks McKane with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Nice jab there from Hoshino.
McKane throws a body punch but Hoshino moves out of range.
Hoshino tries to counter by clinching up but McKane breaks away and moves out of range.
McKane bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hoshino swings widly with a right hand
and McKane counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McKane scores with a leg kick.
Hoshino avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hoshino throws a poor cross that misses
letting McKane counter with a right hand.
McKane has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKane throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
We've been told by Hoshino's head coaches at Rings Russia that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
McKane misses with a low kick.
Hoshino seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
McKane looks to throw a body kick
and Hoshino counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Ozzy McKane has been cut.
Hoshino takes a swing at McKane's ribcage but misses.

Hoshino rushes McKane and presses him up against the cage.
Hoshino swings wildly with an uppercut but McKane uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hoshino tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McKane's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hoshino struggles to land a body shot inside as McKane controls his hands.
McKane makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
McKane blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from McKane.
A short right from McKane.
McKane blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hoshino fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McKane wants to break free but Hoshino has control.
Hoshino tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hoshino throws a punch but it's blocked by McKane.
Hoshino misses with a short punch on the inside.
McKane blocks a body shot from Hoshino.
Hoshino lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hoshino lands a hook that snaps the head of McKane backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino blocks an uppercut.
McKane throws a punch but it's blocked by Hoshino.
McKane blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hoshino makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
McKane tries to work over Hoshino's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

McKane breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McKane looks to land a right hand but Hoshino moved out of range.
Hoshino tries to counter by moving into the clinch but McKane manages to circle out of the way.
Hoshino throws a shot to the body.
McKane throws a solid leg kick but Hoshino takes the impact on his shin and smiles at McKane.
McKane bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McKane looks like he wants to counter punch here.
McKane throws a hook but Hoshino avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino scores with a decent looking hook.
McKane throws a right hand that misses
and Hoshino counters with a stiff right hand.
McKane displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hoshino throws out the jab.
McKane waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hoshino.
McKane throws an off balance right hand
and McKane takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good leg kick by McKane there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kantaro Hoshino dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ozzy McKane's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

McKane throws a lazy body kick
and Hoshino counters with a stiff right hand.
Hoshino throws a poor cross that misses
and McKane counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hoshino swings away with a body shot that misses
and McKane counters with a left to the body.
Hoshino misses the body punch
enabling McKane to counter with a crisp jab.
Hoshino misses with a hook. McKane ducked under it nicely.
McKane swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hoshino takes the fight into the clinch.
Hoshino throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKane wants to break the clinch but can't.

McKane's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McKane throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hoshino is looking to clinch.
Hoshino blocks a low kick nicely.
Hoshino wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Hoshino lands with a straight right. McKane didn't see that one coming.
McKane displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hoshino throws out the jab.
Hoshino fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McKane manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McKane connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Hoshino is looking to clinch but McKane is avoiding it.
McKane thuds a left hand into Hoshino's body.
A slow jab from McKane misses its intended target.
It looked like Hoshino was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from McKane.
Hoshino throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hoshino looks to land a left hand but McKane moved out of range nicely.
Hoshino is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino throws a shot from downtown. McKane moves away and avoids it.

Hoshino has closed the distance and engaged McKane in a clinch.
Hoshino lands with a left to the head.
Hoshino struggles to land a body shot inside as McKane controls his hands.
A shot in the inside from Hoshino.
Hoshino lands a shoulder strike.
McKane blocks a body shot from Hoshino.
Hoshino tries to work over McKane's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McKane wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kantaro Hoshino has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hoshino misses with a punch to the body.
Hoshino fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hoshino struggles to land a body shot inside as McKane controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hoshino - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
McKane blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Hoshino.
Hoshino swings wildly with an uppercut but McKane uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McKane.
Hoshino misses with a body punch.
McKane blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Hoshino scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hoshino goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hoshino lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hoshino is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McKane can do to turn this around?
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hoshino tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McKane's elbow.
Hoshino lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt McKane or not.
McKane blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hoshino throws a punch but it's blocked by McKane.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kantaro Hoshino dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ozzy McKane's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

No joy there for Hoshino, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hoshino throws a body punch but McKane moves out of range.
Hoshino throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling McKane to counter with a crisp jab.
McKane swats away the attempt to clinch by Hoshino.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoshino has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from McKane.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshino throws a lazy uppercut
and Hoshino takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McKane misses with a two punch combination.
Hoshino swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hoshino swings and misses with a shot to the body
and McKane connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
McKane misses the body punch
and Hoshino counters with a stiff right hand.
McKane slips a jab and a cross from Hoshino.
McKane fakes the leg kick and cracks Hoshino in the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino misses with a wild body shot.
McKane throws a lazy right hand but Hoshino sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hoshino on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McKane. McKane obviously looking to wear him down.
McKane thuds his right hand into Hoshino's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hoshino doesn't manage to clinch there - McKane circles away.
McKane lands a nice shot that snaps Hoshino's head back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McKane connects with a looping right hand.
Kantaro Hoshino seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
McKane ducks under a wild hook from Hoshino.
Hoshino tries to clinch there but McKane circles away.

McKane lands a big head kick that sends Hoshino tumbling to the mat! McKane takes a step backwards and waves Hoshino back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Hoshino tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McKane paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McKane doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
McKane keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hoshino.
It seemed like McKane was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino tries to close the distance and clinch but McKane swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hoshino tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McKane paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McKane keeps the fight on the outside.
It seemed like McKane was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Hoshino instigates a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McKane prevents a body shot from Hoshino.
McKane blocks a body shot from Hoshino.
Hoshino goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hoshino is trying to maintain a safe position but McKane gets an underhook and turns Hoshino into the cage.
Hoshino doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hoshino misses with a punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ozzy McKane really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ozzy McKane's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hoshino loads up on a big right hand but McKane slips the punch.
Hoshino throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McKane sees it coming and avoids it easily.
McKane tries a quick counter leg kick but Hoshino is wise to it.
McKane throws a right hand that misses
and Hoshino counters with a straight right hand.
Hoshino lands a nice looking body shot.
Ozzy McKane seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McKane walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - Hoshino throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hoshino throws an off balance right hand
and McKane cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshino throws an overhand right that lands on McKane's shoulder, as McKane tries to avoid the shot.
Good standup being displayed there by Hoshino as he connects with a hook.
Hoshino misses the body punch
and McKane connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hoshino takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Hoshino misses with a body shot.
Hoshino moves out of range of the body kick from McKane.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino is looking to clinch.
McKane looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
McKane lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hoshino tries to close the distance and clinch but McKane swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hoshino takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hoshino goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
McKane scores with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino tries to work over McKane's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short uppercut from Hoshino.
Hoshino misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McKane.
Nice body punch from McKane - that landed with a thud.
Hoshino goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McKane.
Hoshino misses with a short punch on the inside.
McKane tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hoshino swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hoshino misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hoshino lands a body punch.
Hoshino lands with a short punch from the clinch.
McKane prevents a body shot from Hoshino.
Hoshino lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino can't find room to land a body shot as McKane controls the action.
McKane prevents a body shot from Hoshino.

McKane pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hoshino throws a jab but it's blocked by McKane.
And McKane responds with a good body kick, but Hoshino manages to step out the way in time.
McKane looks to land a right hand but Hoshino moved out of range.
Hoshino is looking to clinch.
Hoshino fails with an attempt to clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hoshino looks to throw the jab but McKane is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kantaro Hoshino had his way with Ozzy McKane in that round.
The cut man is working on Ozzy McKane's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

McKane misses with a series of wild punches.
Hoshino misses with a wild body shot.
McKane lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
McKane uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hoshino has time to react.
Hoshino throws a poor cross that misses
and McKane counters with a head kick. That will keep Hoshino thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoshino jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Hoshino throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent McKane stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hoshino. McKane does a little dance to reset his feet.
McKane misses with a looping left.

Hoshino clinches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McKane.
Hoshino misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hoshino can't find room to land a body shot as McKane controls the action.
Hoshino goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

McKane's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McKane thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ozzy McKane has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoshino wants to clinch
and McKane counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hoshino tries to close the distance and clinch up but McKane swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hoshino misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McKane.
Hoshino looks to clinch
and McKane counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hoshino avoids the head kick by McKane.
A quick step to the side and Hoshino tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKane throws out a loose jab but Hoshino uses good head movement to avoid it.
An attempted straight right counter from Hoshino misses the target.
Hoshino misses the body punch
and McKane cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
McKane on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kantaro Hoshino is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hoshino connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
McKane swings widly with a right hand
and Hoshino counters with a straight right hand.
McKane needs to keep his hands up - Hoshino had a free shot at his head there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McKane throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hoshino counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hoshino tries to clinch up.
Hoshino scores with a nice right hand.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Hoshino keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
McKane keeps the fight on the outside.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hoshino gets in close and instigates a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kantaro Hoshino showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hoshino has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 49:46
Judge James Glass scores the fight 49:46
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kantaro Hoshino!
Kantaro Hoshino retains his lightweight title!
Kantaro Hoshino gave a mention to Sully's Bar & Grill in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).